With the start of cold and flu season already upon us, I thought this was a good time to discuss ways to keep your child's teeth healthy while he or she is ill.
Many parents do not realize that sugar accounts for 30 to 70% of many liquid medications. This is not to say that liquid medications are bad. Indeed that are sometimes the only way to give necessary medication to children who are too young to swallow pills. However, they can affect your children's dental health. If allowed to remain on their teeth, sugary residues may lead to decay.
Chewable baby aspirin also play havoc with your little one's teeth. This is especially true when the child's taking repeated doses for an extended period of time, such as occurs with diseases like juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Children's chewable acetaminophen or non - aspirin products may also contain sugar to make them more palatable.
As parents you need to assist your children with regular brushing, flossing and fluoride treatments while they are ill. Think of your child's medicine as being no different than food and brush it off just as you would sugary snacks. Try to store your sick child's toothbrush in direct sunlight. Avoid dark medicine chests which encourage bacterial and fungal growth.
After your child is over a cold, flu or sore throat replace his or her toothbrush. The germs may live on the toothbrush for days and re-infect him or her.